ART EXHIBIT
Artist Robert Adzema of Palisades invites you to an exhibition of his new plein air watercolors at the Pearl River Library. These landscape paintings are mostly local scenes of Palisades and Piermont, and are painted directly from nature.

There will be a reception for the artist at the library on Sunday, May 7 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm, and the exhibition will be on view through May 30.

The Pearl River Library is at 80 Franklin Avenue, Pearl River, NY 10965. Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, Friday 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Phone: (845)735-4084 In addition, Country Gardens Magazine will feature Robert’s sundial sculptures in a beautiful six-page article in its summer issue on sale May 9.

SKUNK HOLLOW MARKER UPDATE
We would like to thank everyone who contributed towards the refurbishment and resurrection of the Skunk Hollow commemorative marker. A total of $625 was raised, exceeding our goal of $500. Glenn Sungala, a volunteer who has repainted and restored many historic signposts in Rockland County, and who recently restored two Palisades boundary markers, will complete work on the Skunk Hollow marker soon. The original signpost for the Skunk Hollow marker is no longer available, but inquiries have been made to several casting companies for viable alternatives. When the marker is ready, and the signpost is made, Skunk Hollow will once again be properly acknowledged as a once thriving community of freed slaves and their descendants.

LAMONT DOHERTY SOLAR AGREEMENT
Columbia University has reached a major milestone by contracting with a solar energy company to supply the Lamont Doherty campus with a substantial portion of its energy needs. This March, the university signed a final amendment to a 25-year agreement with Forefront Power, a renewable energy company that has contracted with Siemens Industries to build two solar farms in Orange County. Planning and permitting are almost complete with construction of the solar farms expected to begin in May. Both sites are scheduled to be ready for interconnection to the utility distribution grid by the end of November. By some time next year, the Lamont campus will receive 75 percent of its energy from the sun, and the campus’ contribution to greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by 50 percent.

PALIS-AGERS MEETING
The Palis-Agers will meet in the Community Room of the Palisades Presbyterian Church on Thursday, May 18 at 1:30 pm. As usual, we will share cookies, coffee and conversation.

ALICE GERARD AND THE PALISADES COMMUNITY CENTER WIN AWARDS
The Palisades Community Center is the recipient of the Rockland County Executive’s Historic Preservation Merit Award. Alice Gerard is awarded the Margaret B. and John R. Zehner Award for her contributions to the county’s history, and for underscoring the value of historic preservation to the community. Her mother, Alice Haagensen, received the same award in the 2001. The PCC and Alice will be honored on May 21, at a dinner given by the Historical Society of Rockland County.

LILLIAN GUNTHER RETIRES
After 22 years of non-consecutive service, Children’s Librarian Lillian Gunther retired from the Palisades Free Library on March 9. Adults and children alike benefited from Lillian’s vast knowledge and love of children’s and adult literature. Her thoughts and critiques are well documented in the library blog to which she was a prolific contributor. Employees and patrons of the library will miss her warm and welcoming presence.

CRISTINA BIAGGI AND NORMAN GALINSKY WIN AWARDS
On May 7, Rockland Center for the Arts awarded artist and writer Cristina Biaggi the Pioneer Award for her early involvement with ROCA. Artist Norman Galinsky was given the Board Stewardship award for his longtime service on ROCA’s board.